Self-contained electrical blinker light having lamp and control circuit subassembly units



July 6, 1965 3,193,817

, SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL BLINKERLIGHT HAVING WJE. OLEWINE LAMP AND CONTROL CIRCUIT SUBASSEMBLY UNITS Filed July'15, 1962 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

INVENTOR.

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SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL BLINKER LIGHT HAVING LAMP AND CONTROL CIRCUIT SUBASSEMBLY UNITS Filed July 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet z BAT. BAT,

INVENTOR. WILL/4M E. OEW/A/E,

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ELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL BLINKER LIGHT HAVING IRGUIT SUBASSEMBLY UNITS LAMP AND CONTROL 6 Filed July 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F/G- s AVG. a.

INVENTOR.

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SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL BLINKER LIGHT HAVING LAMP AND CONTROL CIRCUIT SUBASSEMBLY UNITS Flled July 15, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. W/4L/4M E. 04 Ham/;

United States Patent SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL BUNKER LIGHT HAVING LAMP AND CUNTRGJL CHiQUI'I SUB- ASSEMBLY UNITS William E. @iewine, Indianapolis, Ind, assignor of thirtythree and one-third percent to Four High Enterprises, Inc., Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed July 13, 1962, Ser. No. 209,511 1 (Ilaim. (Cl. 3441-2321) This invention relates to signal lamps, and more particularly to blinker lamps of the type employing a gaseous discharge lamp in conjunction with a charging and discharging circuit including a condenser and a resistor.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved signal lamp of the flasher type, said signal lamp being relatively simple in construction, being economical to operate, and involving no moving parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved signal lamp of the blinker or flasher type, said lamp being relatively inexpensive to fabricate, being durable in construction, and being light in weight, being compact in size, and requiring a minimum amount of maintenance or supervision.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved signal lamp assembly of the blinker or flasher type, said assembly being rugged in construction, being reliable in operation, being not easily aiiected by climatic or atmospheric conditions, and dissipating a very small amount of electrical energy so that the batteries thereof will be serviceable over long periods of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved signal lamp assembly of the blinker or flasher type employing one or more gaseous discharge lamps and employing charging and discharging circuits in conjunction therewith of the type containing resistance and capacitance, the assembly being readily adaptable for fabrication by mass production means, being easy to install, and being reliable in operation, particularly in relatively inaccessible locations where it is difficult to make repairs to or replace parts of the assembly.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical multipleunit signal lamp of the blinker type for use in railway service and constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of FIGURE 1, showing the parts of the assembly of FIGURE 1 in top plan view with the hinged top cover of the assembly housing removed.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical connections employed in the assembly of FIGURES l to 3.

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of a single-unit blinker lamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the single unit blinker lamp assembly of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line E-8 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical connections of a single-unit blinker lamp assembly such as that illustrated in FIGURES 5 to 8.

3,193,817 Patented July 6, 1965 FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of single-unit blinker lamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, particularly suitable for use on bicycles and similar vehicles.

FIGURE 11 is a longitudinal vertical cross sectional view taken through the assembly of FIGURE 10, substantially on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 4, 12 generally designates a multiple-unit blinker lamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, for example, for use in railway signalling. Thus, the device 12 is designed for use in conjunction with a railway switch to provide a visible indication of the condition thereof.

The signal lamp assembly 12 comprises a sleeve-like bottom support member 13 adapted to be secured on a suitable upstanding post, or the like, and provided with conventional fastening means. Secured on the supporting member 13 is a housing 14 whose lower portion 15 is formed to receive a plurality of dry cell batteries 16. The upper portion of housing 14 is formed with four circular apertures in the four vertical walls of the housing, the said walls being spaced 90 apart, whereby the circular apertures face outwardly in correspondingly spaced horizontal directions. Secured in the respective apertures are the respective outwardly flaring annular housings 17 which are formed at their outer ends with the generally frusto-conical, outwardly flaring reflector portions 13.

The housings 17 are formed with annular, inwardly channeled intermediate portions 19 in which are secured respective pairs of superimposed transparent lens elements 219 and 21 which are suitably colored, for example, which are colored red or yellow. Also secured in the annular channels 19 inwardly of the circular lenses Zll, 21 are respective lamp and reflector assemblies, designated generally at 23, said assemblies 23 including: generally parabolic reflectors 24 having annular marginal flanges 25 which are clampingly secured in the channels 19 adjacent the marginal portions of the lens members 20 and 21, as shown in FIGURE 3.

Respective clamping bands 26 are provided on the exteriors of the channels 19, said bands having suitable tightening means for clampingthem on the channels 19. As shown in FIGURE 3, the frusto-conical portions 18 are provided with inner annular flanges 27 which are clampingly held by the bands 26 against the outer rims of the annular channel portions 19.

Suitable resilient deformable sealing gaskets 28 are interposed between the clamping bands 26 and the annular inwardly facing channel elements 19.

Each of the reflector elements 24 is formed with a central aperture through which extends a. lamp socket 29 in which is mounted a gas discharge lamp, for example, a neon lamp. 313. The socket 29 is supported on a generally Z-shaped bracket 31 which is secured to a portion of the associated reflector element 24 by a rivet 32, said rivet also securing a supporting strap 33 to the rear side of the reflector element adjacent the bracket 31. The supporting strap 33 comprises a closed loop in which is mounted a condenser as which forms part of the operating circuit for the neon lamp 313, as will be presently explained. Also secured in the clamping loop 33 between the condenser 34 and the fastening rivet 32 is a resistor 35 which likewise forms part of the operating circuit of the associated lamp 349.

It will be seen that the inner reflector 24, the bracket 31, the clamping loop 33, the lamp socket 299, the condenser 34 and the resistor 35 form a unitary subassembly which may be readily fabricated independently of the remainder of the main unit and which may be readily installed as a complete unit in the main assembly. It will be further apparent that all the parts associated with this subassembly, designated generally at 23 in FIGURE 3, are rigidly held and that there are no moving parts therein.

It will be further apparent that the only element of the subassembly 23 which is removable is the neon lamp 369, and that this lamp will be securely held in the socket 29 once it has been installed.

As above mentioned, there are four identical assemblies 23 incorporated in the main assembly, each of the assemblies 23 being identical and the assemblies being connected electrically in parallel, as shown in FIGURE 4. Thus, referring to the wiring diagram of FIGURE 4, it will be seen that the dry cell batteries l6, 16 are connected in series between a pair of conductors 36 and 37, and that each neon lamp 3% is electrically connected in series with its associated resistor 35 between said conductors 35 and 37. The respective neon lamps 30 are shunted by their associated condensers 34, so that each neon lamp 30 is connected in an associated electronic blinker circuit com- I prising a series resistor 35 and a shunt capacitor 34. In

this circuit the capacitor 34 charges up at a rate determined by the value of the resistor 35 to a voltage sufiicient to discharge through the associated neon lamp 3d, whereupon the charge in the condenser is dissipated and the voltage thereacross drops to a value insufficient to maintain the discharge through said associated neon lamp 313. The lamp is then extinguished until the associated capacitor 34 again is charged up from the batteries 16, through its resistor 35 to a potential sufiicient to discharge through the associated neon lamp 30. It will thus be seen that an intermittent energization of each neon lamp is provided, the rate of such energization depending upon the values of the capacitors 34- and resistors 35, since the charging time constant depends upon these values. It will be further apparent that the batteries 16, 16 are required to supply only suiiicient current to supply the heat dissipation losses through the resistors and the relatively small amount of energy required to ionize the gas in the neon lamp 30. Since the current flow through the resistors 35 is of an intermittent nature, the heat dissipation losses developed by said resistors are relatively small as compared with circuits employing heating coils and associated thermostatic switches.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that the main housing 14 is provided with the hinged top cover 41 provided with a releasable latch 42.

In operation, after the signal lamp assembly is installed and the electrical connections are made to the dry cell batteries 16, to define the circuit schematically shown in FIGURE 4, the lamps 3t? flash on and off continuously as their associated resistor-capacitor circuits charge and discharge, whereby the respective lamps 3t blink on and off continuously. Since the current dissipation of the respective blinker circuits is very small, as above pointed out, the signal lamps Will operate for a long period of time before replacement of the dry cell batteries 16, 16 becomes necessary. Furthermore, since there are no moving parts involved in the assembly, there is no mechanical wear or vibration involved in the operation of the signal lamp assemblies.

Referring now to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, 5i) designates a single-unit blinker lamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the assembly Stl comprises a main housing 51 provided with a mounting bracket 52 for securing the assembly to any suitable supporting object. The housing 51 is of annular configuration and is provided with a reduced rear portion 53 in which are clamping secured a pair of side-by-side dry cell batteries 54, 54, the batteries being clamped against the rear wall 55 of housing 51 by a cross bar 56 which is clamped against the batteries by a bolt 57 extending through the center of wall 55. The cross bar 56 extends transversely across the batteries 54 and clamps said batteries to wall 55.

The housing 51 is formed with a front annular seat 58 which receives the annular marginal flange 25 of the reflector portion 2 5 of an assembly 23, such as above described, the seat 58 also receiving a pair of adjacent circular lenses 59 and as and an annular sealing gasket 61 which is interposed between the marginal portion of the inner lens 6t? and the flange 25. Anannular inwardly channeled clamping band 62 surrounds the seat 58 and secures the elements 59, en, 61 and 25 in the seat, the band 62 being split and its ends being provided with opposing brackets 63, 63 which are connected by a clamping bolt 64, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The inner lens 6% is suitably corrugated or otherwise suitably formed to provide a prismatic light-directing effect, whereas the outer lens 59 is suitably colored, for example, is colored red, or any other desired color.

Mounted on the sides of the main body portion of housing 51 is a control switch 65 which is manually operated to turn the unit 50 on and off. As shown in FIGURE 9, the neon lamp 349 is electrically connected in series with the resistor 35 and the series-connected dry cell batteries 5d, 54 through the control switch 65, the condenser 34 being connected in shunt with the neon lamp 30. Thus, when the switch 65 is closed, the lamp 30 will intermittently become energized, namely, will produce a luminous discharge when the potential across the associated condenser 34 builds up suificiently to provide the required discharge potential for the neon gas in the lamp 30. The discharge will become quenched when the potential across the condenser 34 drops to a valve too low to maintain ionization of the gas, after which the cycle repeats.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES l0 and 11, 7% generally designates a blinker lamp unit suitable for mounting on a bicycle or other vehicle, and thereby serving as a safety device for such vehicle. The unit 7% comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical housing 71 to the intermediate portion of which is secured a laterally extending supporting bracket 72 provided at its end with an aperture 73, whereby the bracket 72 may be suitably bolted to any convenient portion of a bicycle or other vehicle on which the blinker lamp is to be used. The housing 71 is provided with the outwardly convex smoothly curved end wall '74- in which is centrally mounted a control switch 75. The forward end of housing 71 is formed with an annular arcuately curved channeled fiange 77 which receives the outwardly projecting base flange 78 of a cup-shaped transparent plastic front cover '79, the flange 78 being clamped in the channel '77 by a generally circular locking spring 8th which is received in the annular channel 77 and which maintains itself resiliently therein by its tendency to expand, also exerting spring retaining force on the flange '78. The retaining force exerted on the flange 755 also acts against a circular supporting disc 81 whose periphery is received in the channel i7 and is clamped against the rear portion of the channel by the action of spring and the intervening flange '78.

The disc fill is formed with a central aperture 82 through which extends an insulated lamp socket 83 in which is mounted a neon lamp 8d, the lamp socket being supported on a generally S-shaped bracket 85 which is secured to the disc 81 subjacent the opening 82, as shown in FIGURE 11. The bracket 85 thus supports the socket in a position extending axially through the disc 31. The neon lamp 84 is thus supported in the transparent plastic cup-shaped cover '79 in the position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 11.

A dry cell battery 87 is longitudinally disposed in the main housing '71, suitable spacer discs 88 and 89 of insulating material being provided between battery 87 and switch 75 at one end of the battery and between said battery 87 and the inner end portion of the lamp socket 83 at the other end of the battery, as shown in FIGURE 11. Mounted in the main portion of the housing 71 adjacent the dry cell battery 87 are a capacitor 90 and a resistor 91. The resistor 91, the capacitor 9% and the battery 87 are electrically connected to the socket 83 through the switch '75 in a circuit which is identical with the circuit shown in FIGURE 9. Thus, when the switch 75 is closed, the blinker circuit to the neon lamp 84 is completed and the lamp flashes on and off intermittently as its associated circuit operates to build up a charge across the capacitor 90 sufficient to reach the ionization potential of the gas in the lamp 84, after which the condenser discharges to a potential which ultimately becomes too small to maintain ionization. The circuit recharges, whereby the above described operation repeats itself continuously until battery 87 becomes so depleted that it cannot charge up condenser 99 to a potential sufficient to ionize the gas in lamp 84. However, since the heat loss developed by the current dissipation in the resistor 91 is relatively small, the current drain on the battery 87 is likewise very small and the blinker lamp can operate for a long period of time without requiring replacement of the dry cell battery 37.

The forwardly facing surface of the plate member 81 is preferably polished or is provided with a coating of white paint, so as to define a reflector cooperating with the gas discharge lamp 34-.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 5 to 9, the common fastening means which connects the looped bracket 33 and the generally S-shaped bracket 31 to the reflector 84 may comprise a bolt 95 and an associated nut, instead of the rivet 32 employed for this purpose in the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 to 4.

The device illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4 is primarily intended to be employed for railway use, namely, in association with a switch. The blinker lamp 12 is therefore suitably mounted so that it rotates responsive to operation of the railway switch.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved blinker lamp assembly have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur 6 to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as de fined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A railway blinker lamp assembly comprising a vertical housing having four vertical sides at right angles to each other, each of said vertical sides being provided with a light-transmitting portion, a battery in the bottom of said housing, respective blinker subassemblies secured in said housing inwardly adjacent to and facing said lighttransmitting portions, each subassembly comprising an outwardly concave, generally parabolic reflector, a lamp socket extending axially through the center of said reflector, a generally S-shaped bracket secured at one end to said socket and engaging the inward side of the reflector at its other end, a gas discharge lamp mounted in said socket, a capacitor and a resistor adjacent the inward side of the reflector, a looped bracket surrounding said capacitor and resistor and clamping them together in sideby-side relation, and common fastening means securing said other end of the S-shaped bracket and said looped bracket to the inward side of said reflector, means electrically connecting the lamp socket and resistor of each subassembly in series to said battery, and means electrically connecting the capacitor of each subassembly in shunt with its associated lamp socket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,090,293 8/ 37 Haines 340331 2,127,005 8/38 Nichols et a1. 340331 X 2,478,908 8/49 Edgerton 340'-331 2,482,266 9/49 Goshorn 340-831 2,640,980 6/53 Prupis 340--331 X 2,675,545 4/54 Wolper 340321 X 2,717,336 9/55 Craddock 340-331 3,005,193 10/61 Knapp et a1. 340*331 X NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner, 

